Hamilton’s first book, “A Cold Day in Paradise,” introduced McKnight, an ex-Detroit cop now making a living renting cabins in the small town of Paradise in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, who becomes a reluctant private detective.

Hamilton was raised in Detroit and graduated in 1983 from the University of Michigan, where he won the Hopwood Award for fiction. He has also won two Edgar Awards.

This is a launch party, so cake will be served.

Steve Hamilton will be at Aunt Agatha's Book Shop, 213 S. 4th Ave., on Friday, July 5 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Details at www.auntagathas.com or 734-769-1114.